Effects of Valeriane officinalis, Satureja hortensis and Mentha piperita extracts on the withdrawal syndrome signs in mice

Several studies have demonstrated the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, sedative and smooth muscle relaxant activities of the Valeriane Officinalis [VO], Satureja Hortensis [SH], and Mentha Piperita [MP]. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the aqueous or hydroalcoholic extracts from these plants on morphine withdrawal syndrome signs in mice. 112 male albino mice [25-30 g] were used. Morphine was used to produce drug dependency by Marshall method. Different doses of the aqueous extracts of VO [25, 50, 100 mg/kg] and SH [25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg IP] and the hydroalcoholic extract of MP [50, 100, 200, 500 mg/kg IP] were injected to morphine-dependent mice 30 min before the naloxone injection [2mg/kg]. Control mice received saline. The severity of the morphine withdrawal responses was estimated by recordeing the number of jumping and the amount of weight feces during 3o min after naloxone injection. The results showed that the extracts of VO [25 mg/kg], SH [200 mg/kg], and MP [all doses] significantly [P<0.05] decreased the number of jumping. Also, the VO [50 and 100 mg/kg], SH and MP [all tested doses] significantly decreased the weight of stool. Our findings indicate that the extracts of VO, SH, and MP may diminish the morphine withdrawal syndrome signs

role of morphine dependence on the level of anxiety in rat

The effects of acute and chronic exposures to opiate drugs on anxiety process are controversial. Acute morphine injection showed the beneficial effects on anxiety. Morphine withdrawal induced severe anxiety response in morphine dependence rats. Whereas, the effects of chronic administrations of morphine on anxiety process are less studied. Furthermore, this study was designed to assess the role of morphine dependence on the level of anxiety in Rat. In this experimental study, Twenty male Wistar rats [250-300 gr] were made dependent by chronic administration of morphine in drinking water that lasted at least 21 days. Control groups received only sucrose in their water. This study utilized the elevated plus-maze model to evaluate anxiogenic-like behavior in rats. Four fundamental behavior patterns were recorded for 5 minutes: the time spent on open arms, the number of entries into open arms, stretched-attend posture and defecation. Immediately after test, the locomotor activity of each animal was tested by using an automated activity monitor system. The data were analyzed by independent t-test and two-way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. Finding indicated that the time spent on open arms and the numbers of entries into open arms were significantly shorter in morphine dependence group than control group [P < 0.05]. Also, the numbers of stretched-attend posture and defecation were significantly higher in morphine group [P < 0.05]. Whereas, there were no significant differences between groups in locomotor activity. This study showed that dependent rats may rapidly predispose anxiogenic- like effects in stressful conditions and without the effect on motor activity